Existing law defines a “hate crime” as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including, among other things, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Existing law makes a hate crime committed under certain circumstances that is not punishable in state prison or under specified provisions punishable in a county jail as a misdemeanor or a felony, or by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or by both the fine and imprisonment, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.